Politics
Biden’s Climate Summit Shows How Far U.S. Leadership Has to Go
The first day of the event produced mostly modest pledges, demonstrating how much catch-up work remains to be done.
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President Joe Biden convened world leaders for a two-day virtual climate summit on Thursday to send a message that the U.S. is back and ready to lead. Many of the 40 heads of state who participated had their own message for America: Prove it.
Biden opened the event by promising to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% below the 2005 levels by 2030, a clear demonstration that climate is at the center of his agenda. That he did so in front of presidents, prime ministers, and a king shows the White House has the influence to draw world leaders together.